CrVILIM FOOD SUPPLIES 

 L. F. Stice, Extension Marketing Specialist 



So far in this war civilians of the U. £. have generally fared exceptionally 

 well in obtaining food. According to the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, the per 

 capita food consumption in 19^5 was 6 percent above the 1955-1939 level. This was ac- 

 complished in spite of the fact that over one-fifth of the total food output went for 

 military and lend-lease purposes. Per capita consun^jtion of meats, eggs and citrus 

 fruits in I9I+5 was above the 1955-1959 average. Only in the case of a few of the inajor 

 food products, such as sugar, butter, toted milk products, and some canned fruits and 

 vegetables, was per capita consumption significantly lower than in the five prewar 

 years (see chart). 



Prospects for civilian food supplies for 19*4-^ as a whole are relatively good. 

 The B.A.E. estimates that civilian per capita consuraption of meat will reach IU5 pounds, 

 15 percent above the 1955-1959 consumption and 6 percent above 19^5. Compared with the 

 1955-1959 average, per capita consumption f eggs is expected to be up I8 percent, 

 chifckens up 55 percent, fresh citrus fruits up J>'^ percent and fresh vegetables up 5 

 percent. Since these products are perishable and are produced and narketed seasonably, 

 there will be periods, as now with pork and eggs, when supplies will glut the markets. 

 Likewise there will bo months in 19^^ when some commodities will be scarce. This is 

 likely to be the case with beef and pork in the summer months and eggs in the fall 

 months. Supplies of canned fruits will be short geneially. Concern over short food 

 supplies is not so'much for 19^^ as for 19^5. 



Apparent Per Capita Civilian Food Consunqjtion, U. S., 19^5^ 

 and Preliminary Estimate for 19^^, as a Percent of 1955-1959 Average 



Percent 



150- 



100 



I9to 



5(>- 







19i^i+ ti+5 'kk 



'U3 



^kh 



1955-1939 av. 



meats 



Eggs 



11^5 tl^l^ 



UM 



Milk 



/ 



h^ 



Citrus 

 fruits 



JS 



ih\ 



'^5 Z; '^5 



14^ 



' 



150 



100 



50 



C aimed Fresh Canned 

 fruits vegetablsa vegetables 



